Rory O’Malley's ‘Little, Chubby, Closeted Gay Inner Child’ Is Thrilled By Tony Nom for Mormon

The morning the Tony nominations are announced, phones start ringing off the hook for the happy few who get nods. As usual, Broadway.com is among the callers offering congratulations and getting responses. Here are the first reactions from 2011 Tony nominees. Congrats to all!

Rory O'Malley
Nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, The Book of Mormon

“My boyfriend woke me up at 8:25 this morning and had the live stream going. I’m so glad he did because hearing ‘The Book of Mormon’ over and over again was just amazing. Hearing the names of all these people I adore getting recognized after putting in so much work into this beautiful show is fantastic and unreal. I went blank when they called my name. It was total shock. I just thought back to three years ago when I got the call to do this show and I was just excited to get my copy of Team America signed by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. To come to this point is truly a miracle. This means so much to my ‘little, chubby, closeted gay inner child.’ The Tony Awards were how I saw Broadway shows growing up in Cleveland, so to have recognition from them for a show I’m absolutely head over heels in love with is absolutely wonderful. [Co-star, Tony nominee and college roommate] Josh Gad was the first person who called me. It’s unreal that we get to bow together on a Broadway stage, but to get nominated for Tonys together! I remember the first time I met Josh, wearing a Miami Dolphins hat. We were kids! It’s so fantastic that we’ve come so far, and I’ve had such a great friend by my side."